The Greatest MLB Sluggers Of All Time

The Top MLB Sluggers In The League

Baseball has seen some incredible sluggers—players who could change the game with one swing of the bat. In this list, we’ll celebrate the best MLB sluggers who defined eras with their unforgettable performances at the plate.

Mark McGwire

At the age of 22, McGwire made his MLB debut with the Oakland Athletics on August 22, 1986. Nicknamed "Big Mac," he was one of the most powerful home run hitters in baseball history, setting a rookie record with 49 home runs in 1987 and hitting a record-breaking 70 home runs in 1998.

Mark McGwire bats for the St. Louis Cardinals during a 1998 game in St. Louis Jon Gudorf Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jimmie Foxx

Jimmie Foxx, born on October 22, 1907, in Sudlersville, Maryland, started in the major leagues at just 17 years old with the Philadelphia Athletics. One of baseball’s greatest hitters, Foxx was the first player to win three MVP Awards and the second to join the 500 Home Runs Club after Babe Ruth. By the time he retired, he held over a dozen major league records, cementing his place in baseball history.

Jimmy Foxx, early in his career with the Boston Red Sox. - 1936 Charles M. Conlon, Wikimedia Commons

Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle’s baseball career started when he was 19, with the New York Yankees. Known for his incredible power, Mantle set the MLB record for career slugging average by a switch hitter (.557) and a single-season record (.705) in 1956.

Mickey Mantle Original News Photograph Used for 1951 Bowman Rookie Card New York Yankees, Wikimedia Commons

Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron, born on February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama, started his baseball career with the Milwaukee Braves at the age of 20. He played for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers during his storied career (1954–1976). Nicknamed "Hank," he holds the MLB record for the most All-Star Game selections, an incredible 25 times.

Professional baseball player Hank Aaron - 1974 Texas Rangers via tradingcarddb.com, Wikimedia Commons

Willie Mays

Willie Mays, born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, debuted in the major leagues at age 20, with the New York Giants. Known as "The Say Hey Kid," Mays won a batting title in 1954 with a .345 average. Over his legendary career, he led the league in slugging five times and triples three times, showcasing his all-around excellence.

Professional baseball player Willie Mays - 1961 Manny's Baseball Land via tradingcarddb.com, Wikimedia Commons

Harmon Killebrew

Harmon Killebrew, born on June 29, 1936, in Payette, Idaho, played for the MLB at just 17 years old, with the Washington Senators. Known as "The Killer," Killebrew was a legendary slugger. On August 3, 1962, he became the first player in history to hit a home run over the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium.

Harmon Killebrew - Washington Senators - 1959 Jay Publishing via [1], Wikimedia Commons

Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson, born on May 18, 1946, in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, made his MLB debut on June 9, 1967, at age 21 with the Kansas City Athletics. Known as "Mr October" for his clutch playoff performances, Jackson became one of the most iconic players in baseball history.

Reggie Jackson October - 1973 United Press International, Wikimedia Commons

Ted Williams

Ted Williams, born on August 30, 1918, in San Diego, California, started his Major League Baseball career with the Boston Red Sox at age 20 in 1939. Known for his incredible hitting skills, he later opened the Hitters Hall of Fame in Florida in 1994, where he used his formula combining on-base percentage and slugging average to rank the top hitters of all time.

Ted Williams, outfielder with the Boston Red Sox - 1939 Apex Photo Company, Wikimedia Commons

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Mike Schmidt

Mike Schmidt, born on September 27, 1949, in Dayton, Ohio, debuted in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies at age 22. Schmidt won six Silver Slugger Awards, including five in a row from 1980 to 1984. He ranks second all-time for most Silver Sluggers by a third baseman.

Image cropped from a baseball card of Mike Schmidt from the 1987 The Press Box, Wikimedia Commons

Willie McCovey

Willie McCovey, born on January 10, 1938, in Mobile, Alabama, started his baseball career with the San Francisco Giants. Over his incredible career, McCovey hit his final home run on May 3, 1980, finishing with the second-most home runs by a left-handed hitter at that time. McCovey’s power earned him the nickname “Big Mac” and a place among baseball’s greats.

Professional baseball player Willie McCovey - 1961 Manny's Baseball Land via tradingcarddb.com, Wikimedia Commons

Ken Griffey, Jr

Ken Griffey, Jr was born in Donora, Pennsylvania on November 21, 1969, and made his Major League debut with the Seattle Mariners at 19 years old. Known as one of baseball’s greatest sluggers, Griffey hit an impressive 630 home runs during his Hall of Fame career.

Ken Griffey Jr. with the Cincinnati Reds during a game on May 15, 2007. Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig achieved many firsts in baseball history, making him a true legend. He was the first athlete featured on a Wheaties box, the first MLB player to have his uniform number retired, and the first first-baseman in the inaugural All-Star Game. Gehrig also set a record by becoming the first player to appear in 2,000 consecutive games.

Lou Gehrig As A New Yankee 11 Jun 1923 Pacific & Atlantic Photos, Wikimedia Commons

Ralph Kiner

Ralph Kiner made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 16, 1946, at age 23. He led the National League in home runs for an incredible seven straight seasons from 1946 to 1952, showcasing his powerful hitting. Kiner’s dedication at the plate earned him a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975.

Ralph Kiner, outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates Richard Bartlaga, Flickr

Hank Greenberg

Hank Greenberg started playing in the MLB with the Detroit Tigers on September 14, 1930, at age 19. He became the first Jewish player elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956 and had his #5 uniform retired by the Tigers in 1983.

Detroit Tiger baseball player Hank Greenberg in action - 1940 The Sporting News Archives, Wikimedia Commons

Frank Robinson

Frank Robinson, born on August 31, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas, started with the MLB on April 17, 1956 with the Cincinnati Redlegs. After being traded to the Orioles, he won the Triple Crown in 1966, becoming the first (and only) Oriole to achieve this honor. His 49 home runs set a record for right-handed hitters in Triple Crown history.

Professional baseball player Frank Robinson - 1961 Manny's Baseball Land via tradingcarddb.com, Wikimedia Commons

Eddie Mathews

Eddie Mathews, born on October 13, 1931, in Texarkana, Texas, debuted in the MLB with the Boston Braves on April 15, 1952, at age 20. In 1953, he hit 47 home runs, setting a single-season record for third basemen, a milestone that lasted 33 years.

Eddie Mathews looking at side. Richard Bartlaga, Flickr

Frank Howard

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Frank Howard on September 10, 1958. Nicknamed "Hondo" and "The Washington Monument," he became the first South High School (Columbus, OH) alum to play in the majors. In his debut, Howard went 2-for-4, scored twice, drove in two runs, and hit his first career home run.

Portrait Of The Baseball Player Frank Howard - Ca1960 See page for author, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jose Canseco

Jose Canseco started playing for the MLB in 1985, at age 21 with the Oakland Athletics. In 1988, Canseco became the first Athletics player to join the 30/30 Club with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, later creating the exclusive 40/40 Club. That year, he led the league in multiple offensive categories and earned a unanimous MVP Award. In 1991, he won his third Silver Slugger Award, setting a record for Athletics outfielders.

Portrait of Jose Canseco - 1987 tonystl, Flickr

Mel Ott

Mel Ott, born on March 2, 1909, in Gretna, Louisiana, made his MLB debut on April 27, 1926, at just 17 years old with the New York Giants. Known for his powerful swing and unique batting style, Ott became one of baseball’s greatest hitters and a Hall of Famer.

Mel Ott 1940 Play Ball Card Play Ball cards, Bowman Gum, Wikimedia Commons

Sammy Sosa

Sammy Sosa started in the MLB on June 16, 1989, with the Texas Rangers. Known for his incredible power at the plate, Sosa won six Silver Slugger Awards, the second most in Chicago Cubs history, following Ryne Sandberg's seven.

Sammy Sosa Baseball Hall of Fame nominee Sammy Sosa, Flickr

Willie Stargell

Willie Stargell started his baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 16, 1962, at age 22. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988, Stargell became the 200th member, earning the honor alone that year. He was known for his power, and he hit 296 home runs during the 1970s, more than any other player in that decade.

Willie Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Rocky Colavito

Rocky Colavito, born on August 10, 1933, in New York, New York, debuted in the major leagues on September 10, 1955, with Cleveland’s team. Over his career, he played for several teams, including the Tigers and Yankees. Colavito made history as the first MLB player to come out of Theodore Roosevelt High School in New York City.

Rocky Colavito at the end of his career - 1964 Sherwood Harrington, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio, born in Martinez, California, started his career with the MLB in 1936, with the New York Yankees. DiMaggio won three Most Valuable Player Awards, becoming the first Yankee to win multiple MVPs in 1941 and the first to win three in 1947.

Joe DiMaggio in an advertisement demonstrating his swing - 1941 Camel Cigarettes, Wikimedia Commons

Stan Musial

Stan Musial joined the St Louis Cardinals at the age of 20. Known as "Stan the Man," he spent 22 seasons with the Cardinals, setting National League records in games played, hits, runs scored, doubles, and at-bats. Musial also hit 475 career home runs, ranking second in the National League at the time of his retirement.

Stan Musial, outfielder with the St. Louis Cardinals, image from the 1953 Bowman Gum, Wikimedia Commons

Johnny Mize

Johnny Mize joined the St Louis Cardinals at age 23. Over his career, he played for the Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Yankees. Mize holds the unique distinction of being the only player in MLB history to hit at least 50 home runs (51 in 1947) while striking out fewer than 50 times (42) in the same season.

Johnny Mize ( Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Duke Snider

Duke Snider, born on September 19, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, debuted in the major leagues in 1947, with the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 20. He played for the Dodgers, Mets, and Giants during his career.

Duke Snider, centerfielder with the Brooklyn Dodgers, image from the 1953 Bowman Gum, Wikimedia Commons

Albert Belle

Albert Belle joined Cleveland’s team at the age of 22. A powerful hitter, Belle won five Silver Slugger Awards as an outfielder, the most by any Indians player, and appeared in five straight All-Star Games from 1993 to 1997. In 1995, he tied Hank Greenberg’s record with 103 extra-base hits in a single season, a mark matched only by Sammy Sosa in 2001.

Portrait of Albert Belle. Keith Fujimoto, Flickr

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds, born on July 24, 1964, in Riverside, California, made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986. A 14-time All-Star, Bonds holds the record for the most All-Star starts in left field with 11. He is widely regarded as one of the most prolific sluggers in baseball history.

Barry Bonds, outfielder with the San Francisco Giants on deck during a game, circa 1993. Jim Accordino, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Juan Gonzalez

Juan Gonzalez was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers at just 19 years old. Known for his powerful hitting, Gonzalez became one of the standout players of his era and a key figure in Rangers history.

Juan Gonzalez is interviewed on the podcast Baseball Entre Panas in 2024. Baseball Entre Panas, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Cecil Fielder

Cecil Fielder made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1985, at age 21. Playing for several teams throughout his career, Fielder made history in 1990 by hitting 51 home runs, becoming only the second Detroit Tigers player to achieve 50 or more homers in a single season.

Cecil Fielder at bat for the Detroit Tigers during a game in 1996. clare_and_ben, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Dave Kingman

Dave Kingman played for the San Francisco Giants in 1971, at age 22. Kingman is known for his powerful home runs and played for several teams during his career, including the Mets, Cubs, and Athletics. He also made history as the first player from Mt Prospect High School in Illinois to reach the Major Leagues.

Dave Kingman in the outfield for the Chicago Cubs - 1979 Wahkeenah, Wikimedia Commons

Hack Wilson

Hack Wilson, born on April 26, 1900, in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, made his MLB start with the New York Giants in 1923, at age 23. Wilson became one of the most iconic sluggers of his time.

Photograph of Hack Wilson, dressed in a Chicago Cubs road uniform - between 1926 and 1930. Conlon, Charles Martin, Wikimedia Commons

Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks debuted in the major leagues on September 17, 1953, with the Chicago Cubs at age 22. Known as "Mr Cub," he spent his entire 19-year Hall of Fame career with the Cubs (1953–1971). Banks was the first National League player to win back-to-back MVP Awards, achieving the honor in 1958 and 1959. Banks was not only a remarkable player but also a trailblazer who broke racial barriers in the sport.

Ernie Banks ( Jewel Tea via tradingcarddb.com, Wikimedia Commons

Roger Maris

At age 22, Roger Maris made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians on April 16, 1957. Maris is best known for hitting 61 home runs in 1961, breaking Babe Ruth’s legendary single-season record of 60 set in 1927. His historic feat during his MVP season cemented his place in baseball history.

Roger Maris at Comiskey Park, September 1961. Richard Bartlaga, Flickr

Dick Allen

A native of Wampum, Pennsylvania, Dick Allen started with the Philadelphia Phillies on September 3, 1963, when he was just 21 years old. During a career that spanned several teams, Allen became one of the most influential players of his era.

Dick Allen, first baseman/third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, circa 1965. Sports Service via tradingcarddb.com, Wikimedia Commons

Greg Luzinski

Greg Luzinski started playing for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970. Known as "The Bull," Luzinski made history on June 8 and 9, 1984, by hitting grand slams in back-to-back games for the Chicago White Sox, tying the MLB record. He was the first White Sox player to achieve this feat.

Greg Luzinski, left fielder with the Philadelphia Phillies, circa 1972. Ticketron via tradingcarddb.com, Wikimedia Commons

Ted Kluszewski

On April 18, 1947, Ted Kluszewski made his major league debut at age 22 with the Cincinnati Reds. His fielding average led the National League five times between 1951 and 1955, giving him the nickname "Klu." A powerhouse at the plate, Kluszewski hit 40 or more home runs in three consecutive seasons.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Ted Kluszewski in a 1954 issue of Baseball Digest. Baseball Digest, Wikimedia Commons

Frank Thomas

The Chicago White Sox signed Frank Thomas at age 22. Nicknamed "The Big Hurt," he was the first player in MLB history to win two Silver Slugger Awards at two different positions—first base and designated hitter. When he retired, Thomas held the record for most home runs by a designated hitter with 269, a record later surpassed by David Ortiz.

Frank Thomas on deck for the Chicago White Sox during a game at New Comiskey Park on August 17, 1997. clare_and_ben, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth, born on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland, made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox on July 11, 1914, at just 19 years old. Known worldwide as one of baseball’s greatest players, Ruth’s legendary slugging earned him the nickname "The Bambino" and even inspired the term "Ruthian" to describe outstanding athletic performances—but it was his desire for greatness that led him to try an incredibly disturbing experiment. Hoping to boost his power, Ruth injected himself with sheep testicle extract. He thought it would act like a steroid, but it only left him sick as a dog.

Babe Ruth as a member of the New York Yankees - 1920 Irwin, La Broad, & Pudlin, Wikimedia Commons